Baseball game having variable batting means

ABSTRACT

A baseball game for two players in a simulated baseball park and field with holes representing hits and outs, a biased bat having interchangeable faces and a pitching area whereby one player may flick a hard ball or marble at the batter&#39;&#39;s box and another player attempts to hit the ball with a bat which is swung around a pivot. The bat is designed so that a player may hit the ball out of the park for a home run.

United States Patent Duvall 1 Dec. 17, 1974 1 BASEBALL GAME HAVING VARIABLE 1,642,093 9/1927 Stewart 273/90 ux BATTING MEANS 2,482,083 9/1949 Whiteha11.... 273/90 3,355,173 11/1967 Selker 273/119 [76] lnventor: Calvin David Duvall, 147 Dockser Dr., Crownsville, Md. 21032 [22] Filed: Mar. 28, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 345,709

[52] US. Cl. 273/89 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 7/06 [SKI Field 01 Search 273/88, 89, 90, 87.2, 129; 124/38 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 487,825 12/1892 Curtis, Jr. et a1. 273/89 637,549 11/1899 Engel et a1 986,147 3/1911 Duncan .1 273/89 1,403,402 1/1922 Grasso 124/38 UX 1,502,189 7/1924 Hatch 273/39 Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Attorney, Agent, or FirmFidelman, Wolffe, Leitner & Hiney [57] ABSTRACT A baseball game for two players in a simulated baseball park and field with holes representing hits and outs, a biased bat having interchangeable faces and a pitching area whereby one player may flick a hard ball or marble at the batters box and another player attempts to hit the ball with a bat which is swung around a pivot. The bat is designed so that a player may hit the ball out of the park for a home run.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENTELBEBI H 14 3854.720

SHEEI 2 BF 2 BASEBALL GAME HAVING VARIABLE BATTING MEANS This invention relates to a unique simulated baseball game for adults and children alike. The game utilizes simple constructions and arrangements that allow a player to employ physical dexterity in playing the game.

The game is played in a simulated park which, for playing purposes, should be at least 3 feet square or larger. The park consists of four walls and a playing field. The field has a series of indentations or holes therein, each designating a single, double, triple, or out. There is a pitching area or mound from which the player flicks a ball or marble toward the batters box. The batters box consists of a bat which is pivoted on a peg. It is biased by rubber bands which are connected to various pegs by which the batting tension can be varied. A player moves the bat into position against the tension of the rubber band and then releases it at the appropriate moment to hit the ball thrown by the other player.

The bat itself is a series of interchangeable faces, with varying angled faces so that one bat face may tend to hit line drives, while another face hits pop-ups. One may hit or get a home run while hitting the ball over either of the outfield walls or by hitting it high enough so that the ball bounces into the net rather than back onto the field. The ability to hit the ball upwards, as in regulation baseball, distinguishes this game from the other simulated baseball games.

Therefore, it is an object to provide a baseball game in which a player may hit the ball upwardly, off the playing surface.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a completely walled playing field in which a simulated baseball game may be played.

Another object of this invention is to provide a baseball game having provisions for varying the type of bat and the force with which the bat hits the ball.

A further object of this invention is to provide a simulated baseball game for players in which both players employ their own physical and mental dexterity and agility.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simulated baseball game having a biased bat and a strike zone depression.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a simulated baseball game with a bat, the force of which can be varied to suit the individual player and the pitch (or angle of which) can be varied to effect different tyes of hits.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent when reference is had to the accompanying specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the baseball game forming this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing how a player pitches the ball of the game;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the attachment means used to secure the various bat faces to the bat body;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bat face and body showing its interrelationship;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a line drive type of bat face;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bat face; and

FIG. 7 is an end view of the bat shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the baseball game is shown generally designated by the numeral 10. It consists of a playing surface 12 having walls 14 and 16 on the infield sides thereof, the walls partially broken away to show the home plate area. On the outfield sides, it has walls 18 and 20 which are notably higher than walls 14 and 16.

A series of stanchions such as 22, 24, 26 and 32 may be mounted on walls 20 and 18 to support a net such as 28 to catch home run balls which hit walls 18 and 20 near the top edge thereof. The net extends from wall 20 to wall 18 by net portion 30. The net itself may be a fabric net or a wire mesh. A diamond such as 34 is provided with a pitching area intersecting the second base shown as SD. The pitching area may be the strip as shown at 36 or may be a mound. A peg 38 is mounted adjacent the home plate area as shown as HP and is removable. The peg 38 is shown for right-handed batters. The diamond 34 also contains a first base (F) and a third base (T). For left-handed batters, a peg 54 (also removable) can be employed.

Pivoted on peg 38 is bat 40, having a narrow neck portion 42 in which a rubber band 44 is engaged. Rubber band 44 is also hooked around a peg 46 so that as one swings the end of the bat away from peg 46, the tension in the rubber band 44 releases. The tension desired for batting is obtained while the bat is in the position shown by the phantom lines. Additional pegs such as 48 and 50 may be used to increase the batting tension. These pegs also can be made removable.

For a left-handedbatter, similar pegs such as 56, 58 and 60 can be used in conjunction with removable peg 54 to vary the bat tension for said left-handed batter. Peg 54 is secured within hole 52.

Immediately behind home plate HP is a strike depression S. The object of the game is for a pitcher to pitch his ball or marble past the batter and into the strike depression S.

When a batter lets go of the bat and it pivots due to the tension of band 44 and engages the pitched ball, a hit results. Spread on the outfield of the playing surface are a series of holes such as 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70. The holes represent various conditions resulting from the hit. as shown, the holes 62, 64, and 66 result in an out for the batter. Hole 70 results in a single or S for the hit. Hole 72 results in a triple (T) for the batter. Hole 68 results in a double (D) for the batter. Various other holes are shown scattered around the outfield and the positioning of these holes is somewhat arbitrary but a good balancing of outs versus hits should be presented for a batter.

When a batter, for example, gets a single, a marker (not shown) can be advanced to first base (F) to indicate the position of the base runner.

The stanchions such as 22 and 24 and net 28 are not mandatory and do not have to be provided. A home run can occur when the batter hits the ball over either a wall 20 or 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a hand (H) of a player pitching a ball (B) toward the bat on playing surface 12. As shown, the action is similar to that in marbles whereby the thumb tee is used to flick the ball toward the bat. While the ball is shown off the playing surface 12 in FIG. 2, it is obvious as in marbles, that the ball can rest on the playing surface prior to being flicked by the thumb tee. Variations of pitching style may occur to a player and the game is by no means limited to any particular style. Some players may, through dexterity, be able to put english on the ball to somewhat avoid the bat and yet hit the strike depression S. Such variations of physical dexterity allow for greater interest and participation in the game.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the material in arrangement used to interchange the faces. Namely, a matting of female Velcro and a series of male Velcro hooks 120.

FIG. 4 shows a bat designated as 100 in detail. It consists of a main body portion 102, a terminal portion 106, and a cut-away portion 112. Body portion 102 has a hole 12 therein at 104 so that bat 100 may swivel on a peg. Separating body portion 102 and terminal portion 106 is a reduced cross-section area 108 which accommodates a rubber band shown at 110. On face 114 of section of cut-away portion 112 is the female Velcro matting. The bat face is shown at 116 and has an angled face 118. On the side opposite from face 118 are a series of Velcro hooks such as at 120. The bat face is merely applied to portion 1 12 of face 114 and the interengagement of the male and female Velcro materials hold the bat face in place. The bat face 116 can be removed simply by pulling with some small degree of force to disengage the matted Velcro material.

FIG. shows an interchangeable bat face 130 with the actual face 132 having a less-pitched angle than face 118 of member 116. The male Velcro is opposite the bat face at 134. An interchangeable bat face 130 would tend to hit a line drive rather than a pop-up at interchangeable bat face 116.

FIG. 6 shows another variation of a bat face 140 having a rounded surface 142 which could hit both popups and line drives. On the reverse side of the bat face area are male Velcro with hooks 144.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of bat face 130 with the actual pitched face 132 having an angle X from the vertical. Obviously, many variations of interchangeable bat faces can be provided to effect different types of hits and to give a batter a chance to vary his response to different types of pitches.

The game generally is played on the same basis as real baseball. There are two teams. Each team consists of two players. Each team is allowed three outs per inning. There are nine innings in a game and the team scoring the most runs at the end of the game is the win-, ner.

As stated before, markers may be provided to indicate the position of runners on base following hits. While the holes shown in FIG. 1 only depict singles, doubles, triples and outs, there are other holes provided to afford other variations. The list may vary, but generally at least one of the following should be provided:

S A single or 1 base hit, batter goes to lst base and if there is anyone on any of the other bases, they advance one base D A double or 2 base hit, batter goes to 2nd base. If there is anyone on any of the other bases. they advance two bases or leach home plate, whichever is first.

T A triple or 3 base hit. hatter goes to 3rd base and if there is anyone on any of the other bases, they advance 3 bases or reach home plate whichever is first.

DP Double Play batter is out and so is the nearest runner or man on base that is closest to advancing to home plate. If there are no runners on base, then the batter is the only out.

Batter flies out to the infielder causing an outv LO Batter hit ball on line. but outfielder caught the ball for an out.

SF Sacrifice Fly Batter hits fly ball to the outfield causing an out; but all runners on base advance one base. NOTE: THIS RULE ONLY APPLIES IF THERE ARE LESS THAN TWO OUTS. If there are 2 outs, the batter is out. making it 3 outs. thus ending the inning.

RS Run scored. This is marked in run column" on score card when player scores a run RBI Run batted in. This is marked on score card in RBI column when batter hits the ball and a run comes in.

Pitching techniques may vary as stated before. The ball can be spun to make it curve toward home plate or it may be rolled straight. A strike occurs when the ball is rolled over any portion of home plate or winds up in the hole marked S. A ball occurs when the ball does not touch any part of home plate or does not go into the hole marked S. To obtain a strike-out, the pitcher must get the batter either to miss the ball clearly with the bat after the batter already has two strikes, or the pitcher must roll the ball into the hole marked S.

A walk occurs when the pitcher rolls the ball four times without the ball touching any portion of home plate or getting the ball to stay in the hole marked S. To hit the ball, the batter pulls the bat back and releases the bat to hit the ball after the pitcher rolls or flicks the ball toward home plate. If the batter hits the ball, the pitcher allows the ball to roll until it rolls into one of the holes on the playing surface. If the ball does not roll into one, of the holes after it has been hit, it is just a foul ball or a strike and the play continues. If the batter hits the ball and it sails out of the park in the air, it is a home run. If it is between the left field foul line and the adjacent wall or the right field foul line and adjacent wall, it is a foul ball.

If a batter hits the ball and it bounces off of one of the walls and re-hits the bat, it is a dead ball but still counts as a strike against the batter. The batter cannot strike out on foul balls alone; he must miss the ball clearly on the final strike.

Obviously, score cards may be provided and various names may be given each team, corresponding to major league baseball teams (such as the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, etc.).

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that many variations and adaptations may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A baseball game, said game having a diamond shaped base member having four sides, two infield walls secured adjacent each other along two respective sides of said base member, two outfield walls having a height greater than said infield walls secured to the remaining two sides of said base member, a simulated series of bases including a home plate on base member, a pair of apertures juxtapositioned in said base member adjacent to and on opposite sides of home plate, a pivot means adapted to fit in either aperture mounted in one of said apertures, a bat means pivotally mounted on said pivot means for hitting a ball propelled thereto a plurality of peg means located on said base member behind each said aperture, tension means adapted to be selectively connected to any one of said peg means and one end of said bat means whereby the force with which the bat pivots after being released to engage a ball can be varied, the other end of said bat means having a variable means thereon for hitting a ball propelled thereto, a series of shallow aperture means on said base member, each having indicia thereon representing results of a hit and a pitching area on said base member from which one player propels a ball toward home plate.

2. A baseball game as in claim 1 and including net means along the length of said outfield walls on the sides facing said base member.

3. A baseball game as in claim 1 wherein said variable means for hitting a ball comprises a cut-away portion of said bat means and interchangeable members, each member having different angled surfaces to engage a propelled ball, said cut-away portion and interchangeable members having cooperative fastening means 

1. A baseball game, said game having a diamond shaped base member having four sides, two infield walls secured adjacent each other along two respective sides of said base member, two outfield walls having a height greater than said infield walls secured to the remaining two sides of said base member, a simulated series of bases including a home plate on base member, a pair of apertures juxtapositioned in said base member adjacent to and on opposite sides of home plate, a pivot means adapted to fit in either aperture mounted in one of said apertures, a bat means pivotally mounted on said pivot means for hitting a ball propelled thereto a plurality of peg means located on said base member behind each said aperture, tension means adapted to be selectively connected to any one of said peg means and one end of said bat means whereby the force with which the bat pivots after being released to engage a ball can be varied, the other end of said bat means having a variable means thereon for hitting a ball propelled thereto, a series of shallow aperture means on said base member, each having indicia thereon representing results of a hit and a pitching area on said base member from which one player propels a ball toward home plate.
 2. A baseball game as in claim 1 and including net means along the length of said outfield walls on the sides facing said base member.
 3. A baseball game as in claim 1 wherein said variable means for hitting a ball comprises a cut-away portion of said bat means and interchangeable members, each member having different anGled surfaces to engage a propelled ball, said cut-away portion and interchangeable members having cooperative fastening means thereon. 